Republicans and the Media

The first question posed to Republican presidential candidates in which they were asked to describe a personal flaw was a sign that the debate about the economy held by business network CNBC would not end well. The animosity the aspirants showed against the journalists for asking questions they considered tricky and inappropriate drove them to cancel a previously scheduled debate with NBC and Telemundo, depriving the Spanish-speaking audience of participating in the process.

In the GOP world, it is believed that most journalists are liberal and that they oppose them, which is why any words condemning the media are well-applauded there. Last Thursday, the hosting panel’s disorganization and some of their unjustifiable questions gave the candidates a reason to take offense, including those of them who lied profusely taking advantage of the journalists’ bewilderment.

The problem is that this type of debate presents a conflict of interest. Republicans want a forum for their candidates to display ideas and opinions geared towards their base, not much more. This is a primary in which we all get to voice our opinion, but those who matter are far fewer. At the same time, the media wants to host these debates to obtain high ratings, so they promote clashes between candidates and ask current questions about the latest controversies.

It is fundamental for journalists to have the freedom to ask whatever they choose. What went wrong was the reporters’ failure to focus on the budget, social services reform, taxes or economic inequality, among other fitting topics. There were many issues to talk about within the debate’s pre-established theme, which was the economy. Candidates could have debated each other on the country’s financial future if only the reporters would have prepared adequately. Taxes alone would have yielded plenty of questions.

The solution is not to have a Republican panel host a Republican debate, but to bring in communicators who understand their role in the event and who arrive thoroughly prepared. If CNBC was looking to raise their rating points during the debate by asking Donald Trump if he is a “comic book villain,” this was not the best way.

Consequently, an opportunity to have a productive debate was lost, harming the media along the way and feeding the Republican notion that journalists  are set against them.